8 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - Richards-Baker & Anderson

It's now 8 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #8, one on offense and one on defense: 

#8 Painter Richards-Baker

Position Wide Receiver
Height 6-2
Weight 185
Class Fifth Year
Hometown Hillsborough, N.C.
High School Christ School










Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU during the spring out of the portal;

At Dartmouth: Played in 29 games over four seasons with 29 catches for 458 career yards and three touchdowns for 18 career points … As a senior, caught a career-long 75 yard touchdown pass against Merrimack … Finished his final season with 260 receiving yards and two scores … Was slowed by injury as a sophomore in 2022 that limited him to just three games played … Played in nine games as a freshman in 2021, making his first career start at Brown; 

High School: Played a variety of positions from wide receiver, cornerback, safety, and kicked … Caught 25 passes, five touchdowns, and amassed 650 all-purpose yards as a senior, helping his team to a state championship … Attended Christ School after single years at Cedar Ridge and Benedictine College Prep … Also ran track where he was a senior captain that led the school to a runner-up finish in the state meet, winning both the 110m hurdles and the 300m hurdles.

Personal: Is the son of Kara Richards and Andrew Baker … Has a brother … Father, Andrew, played football at Guilford College in the early 1990s.

 

#8 Jahleel Anderson

Position Defensive Tackle
Height 6-4
Weight 320
Class Senior
Hometown Statesboro, Ga.












2025 (Senior): Was a mid-year transfer to Western Carolina from Alcorn State ... Is expected to go through WCU's annual Spring Drills.

Prior to Western Carolina: Played in eight games at Alcorn State in 2024, credited with nine tackles including four solo stops and one tackle for loss; 

At Highland CC in Highland, Kansas: Played in 14 games over two seasons in 2022 and 2023 ... Credited with 31 tackles including 15 solo stops with 5.5 tackles for loss including one sack ... Forced a pair of fumbles, one in both seasons played at Highland ... Recorded a single-game career-high of four tackles three times -- twice in 2022 against Garden City CC and Hutchinson CC, matching in 2023 at Iowa Central CC.

Personal: Is the son of Nan Mercer.

 

Tracking the Cats w/FB Ops, Todd Shealy - 8/21/25

 

9 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - Terzado & Anderson

It's now 9 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #9, one on offense and one on defense: 

#9 Jaylin Terzado

Position Wide Receiver
Height 6-0
Weight 180
Class Redshirt Junior
Hometown Liberty City, Fla.
High School Champagnat Catholic HS












2025 (Redshirt Junior): Returned to Western Carolina in the spring of 2025 through the transfer portal.

2024 (Redshirt Sophomore): Attended Benedict College after transferring from Bethune-Cookman.

2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Transferred to Bethune-Cookman after leaving WCU ... Played in eight games, recording 11 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown ... Twice caught three passes in a game against both Alabama State (10/7) and Southern (10/21) ... Had a career-long 31-yard reception against Mississippi Valley State (11/2).

2022 (Freshman): Played in just one game during the regular season, remaining eligible for a redshirt ... Made his collegiate debut against VMI (Oct. 1) but did not record any statistics ... Entered the transfer portal after the season.

Prior to Western Carolina: Began his prep career at North Miami High before finishing at Champagnat Catholic … Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports … Caught 26 passes for 560 yards with six touchdowns as a senior at Champagnat Catholic ... Finished his prep career with over 1,100 receiving yards in three seasons, helping his squad win the 2020 state championship ... Named second-team All-Dade County and third-team All-State as a prep.

Personal: Is the son of Shawntavia Symonette ... Has one sibling, Jasiah Nadal ... Had a cousin, Amari Daniels, who playd football at Texas A&M.

#9 Darian Anderson Jr.

Position Cornerback
Height 5-10
Weight 160
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Miami, Fla.
High School Dade Christian School












2024 (Redshirt Sophomore): Did not see game action.

2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 11 of the team’s games as a reserve on defense and on special teams … Credited with 12 total tackles including nine solo stops and one tackle for two yards of loss … Recorded tackles in five of the 11 games played … Tallied a career-high four tackles twice with three solo stops and an assist in the road wins at The Citadel (Sept. 30) and at Chattanooga (Oct. 7) … Recorded his first career interception in the third quarter in the home win over ETSU (Nov. 11), snaring a ball deflected by Tahjae Mullix at the line of scrimmage … Added his first career tackle for loss against the Bucs.

2022 (Freshman): Played in three games, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3) returning a punt … Credited with one tackle against Presbyterian (Sept. 17), adding a career-long 30-yard kickoff return … On the year, returned two kickoffs officially ... Named to the 2022-23 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Team captain as a senior, recorded five career interceptions and had eight total returns for touchdowns as a prep … Added four receptions for 199 yards and three TDs as a senior … Also played on special teams as a kickoff and punt returner … Was a second-team defense selection as an athlete in the 2020 Independent All-State football team compiled by FloridaHSFootball.com … Played for the Florida Fire 7v7 All-Star football team … Listed as a three-star recruit by 247sports and a two-star athlete by Rivals.com – was also a three-star from On3DB … Also runs track as a prep.

Personal: Full name is Darian Kerron Anderson Jr. ... Is the son of Anitra Burse and Darian Anderson Sr.

10 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - Rossin & Wallace

It's now 10 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #10, one on offense and one on defense: 

#10 Michael Rossin

Position Wide Receiver 

Height 6-0 

Weight 185 

Class Freshman 

Hometown Suwannee, Fla.

High School Suwannee HS

Prior to Western Carolina: Over three seasons and 23 games, caught 60 passes for 1,104 yards with 13 touchdowns … Named All-Area and the Lake City Reporter co-Player of the Year as a senior WR … Was named the FACA District 4 Player of the Year and played for the North team in the FACA All-Star 
Classic … Had 46 receptions for 818 yards and 10 scores as a senior, ranking eighth in program history for receiving yards tied for sixth in TD receptions, and ninth all-time in receptions … Added 359 rushing yards, 385 on kickoff returns, and 54 on punt returns to amass 1,619 yards total as a senior … As a two-way, added 46 total tackles, 14 pass breakups, one interception, and four fumble recoveries on defense, while also blocking multiple kicks and returned one kickoff back for a touchdown.

#10 Justin Wallace

Position Defensive End

Height 6-2
Weight 250
Class Redshirt Junior
Hometown West Palm Beach, Fla.
High School Killian HS

2024 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in 11 of the team’s 12 games, each coming on special teams and as a defensive reserve … Credited with three total tackles, including half a tackle for loss … Assisted on a tackle for loss in the road win at Elon (Sept. 14) … Tallied a solo tackle on the road against nationally-ranked Montana (Sept. 21) … Had an assisted tackle in the road win at Furman (Oct. 19) … Credited with a sack in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Did not see game action ... Credited with four tackles and a pair of quarterback hurries in WCU's annual Spring Game.

2022 (Freshman): Played in four games as a true freshman, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Recorded three tackles on the year … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3), recording his first career tackle … Posted a career-best two stops in the home win over Presbyterian (Sept. 17).

Prior to Western Carolina: Began his prep career at Palm Beach Central High … Recorded 81 tackles with 30 for loss and 23 sacks as a senior, helping guide his high school to a 12-1 seasonal record … Forced and recovered two fumbles and tallied an interception … Listed as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com.

Personal: Is the son of Sherelle Wallace ... Has a brother, Jaylen.

11 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - Lee & Partridge

It's now 11 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #11, one on offense and one on defense: 

#11 Isaac Lee

Position Quarterback

Height 6-4
Weight 175
Class Redshirt Freshman
Hometown Concord, N.C.
High School Jay M. Robinson HS










2024 (Freshman): Did not see game action, remaining eligible for a redshirt ... Named to the 2024-25 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Joined the Catamount football team as a walk-on, providing depth at the QB position ... Three-year varsity letter winner, playing in 31 career games ... According to MaxPreps, finished 288-of-434 passing (66.4%) for 4,666 yards and 57 career touchdowns ... Tossed 30 TD passes as a senior, averaging 203.6 passing yards per game coming on 150 completions (150-of-224) ... Rushed for 161 yards on 53 carries as a prep with a pair of rushing TDs as a senior ... Two-sport athlete as a prep, playing football and basketball.

 

                        

#11 Kenyon Partridge

Position Defensive End
Height 6-3
Weight 255
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Decatur, Ga.
High School Columbia HS












2024 (Redshirt Freshman): Saw action in all 12 of the team’s games, each coming as a defensive reserve and on special teams … Finished with nine total tackles, including five solo stops with two for loss coming on a pair of quarterback sacks … Had tackles in five of the 12 games with multiple tackles three times … Recorded a pair of stops in the season-opener at NC State (Aug. 29), adding a quarterback hurry … Finished with a pair of stops at nationally-ranked Montana (Sept. 21) … Posted a career-high three tackles with one for loss on a sack in the road win at Furman (Oct. 19) … Tallied his second sack in the win over VMI (Nov. 16) … Named to the Fall 2024 Academic All-Southern Conference team ... Selected to the 2024 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team.

2023 (Freshman): Played in two games as a defensive reserve and on special teams, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Credited with one tackle on the year … Made his collegiate debut in the home win over Charleston Southern (Sept. 23), recording his first career tackle on an assist … Also played in the home rivalry win over ETSU (Nov. 11) ... Named to the 2023-24 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll. 

Prior to Western Carolina: Played both outside linebacker and tight end as a prep … Named the Region 5-2A Defensive Player of the Year … Over his final two seasons, recorded 53 receiving yards with a pair of scores as a tight end … Defensively, amassed 111 total tackles including 79 solo stops with 38 tackles for loss with 22.5 sacks, according to MaxPreps … Was a three-time Player of the Game, earning two honors in 2021 and one as a senior in 2022.

12 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - Benson & Sykes

It's now 12 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #12, one on offense and one on defense: 

#12 Jack Benson

Position Quarterback
Height 6-4
Weight 195
Class Junior
Hometown Eagle, Idaho
High School Eagle HS









Prior to Western Carolina: Pro-style quarterback who transferred to WCU in the summer ahead of fall camp from Boise State, where he committed back in the winter as a preferred walk-on and took part in the Broncos’ spring practice … Made six throws in BSU’s annual spring game …

at Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) in Walnut, Calif., after starting his collegiate career at Citrus College in Glendora, Calif. … Over his first two seasons, has thrown for 1,502 yards on 115-of-182 (63.1%) passing with 14 touchdowns against eight interceptions.

At Citrus College in 2023 (Freshman): Played in five games, splitting reps in the backfield … Threw for 553 yards on 51-of-88 passing with four touchdowns and five interceptions.

At Mt. SAC in 2024 (Sophomore): Saw action in 11 games as a sophomore in 2024, completing 64-of-94 passes (68.1%) for 949 yards and 10 touchdowns against just three interceptions … Added three rushing scores … Mt. SAC went 10-1 when he saw action at QB and was a two-time Player of the Game award recipient … Tossed a pair of TD passes in his collegiate debut, finishin 11-of-15 for 92 yards and the pair of scores at Mt. San Jacinto … Threw for a career-high 267 yards on 11-of-15 passing with a pair of TDs at Cerritos … Passed for over 100 yards three times, twice eclipsing the 200-yard mark;

High School: Played prep football at both Centennial and Eagle High Schools … Was given a three out of five-star rating by QBHitList.com as a prep … Originally committed to Idaho State before attending Citrus College.

#12 Hasaan Sykes

Position Cornerback

Height 6-0
Weight 180
Class Sophomore
Hometown Tucker, Ga.
High School Tucker HS












2024 (Freshman): Played in nine of the team’s 12 seasonal games, each coming on special teams and as a defensive reserve … Credited with five total tackles, all coming as solo stops with one tackle for loss … Made his collegiate debut against Campbell (Sept. 7) … Recorded his first career tackle in the home win over Wofford (Oct. 5) with a solo stop … Recorded two solo stops apiece in the road win at Furman (Oct. 19) and in the season finale at Samford (Nov. 23), with one of his two against the Bulldogs going for a two-yard loss ... Named to the 2024-25 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Came to WCU during the summer of 2024 … Originally signed with the University of South Florida out of high school, but did not attend; High School: Played cornerback/safety and wide receiver as a prep, earning second-team Georgia Region 4-AAAAA and All-County plaudits … Participated in the Georgia Elite Classic where he was named a top performer for the week … Caught 22 passes for 414 yards and two touchdowns in his career … Also competed in track & field as a prep, winning the GHSA 5-A state championship in the long jump as an 11th grader, posting a season-best leap of 23-4.25 at sectionals … Rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals.

13 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - Hollis & Taylor

It's now 13 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #13, one on offense and one on defense: 

#13 Richard Hollis

Position Wide Receiver
Height 5-8
Weight 170
Class Freshman
Hometown Pompano Beach, Fla.
High School Blanche Ely HS













Prior to Western Carolina: Amassed 1,360 all-purpose yards including 1,060 receiving yards as a senior with 11 touchdowns … Selected to play in the Dade vs. Broward All-Star game … Also ran track as a prep.

#13 Marseille Taylor

Position Cornerback
Height 6-2
Weight 185
Class Junior
Hometown Sanford, Fla.
High School Seminole HS










Prior to Western Carolina: Started his collegiate career at Riverside City College in California before transferring to Stephen F. Austin in 2023 and South Florida for 2024; At RCC: Played in 12 games as a freshman in 2022 with 33 total tackles, including 24 solo stops … Had two interceptions for 30 return yards and credited with six total pass break-ups; At SFA: Played in four games, credited with three total tackles; At USF: Listed as playing in one game for the Bulls … High Schoool: Started his prep career at The First Academy in Orlando, Fla, before finishing at Seminole HS in Sanford, Fla. … Was a three-star prospect by both Rivals and 247Sports out of high school.

14 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - Thomas & Baptiste

It's now 14 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #14, one on offense and one on defense: 

#14 Josiah Thomas

Position Tight End
Height 6-2
Weight 200
Class Freshman
Hometown Austin, Texas
High School Lake Travis HS











Prior to Western Carolina: Was named first-team All-District as a senior at Lake Travis High … Caught 70 passes for 924 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior … Listed as one of the top tight end prospects in Texas by LoneStarPreps.com … In six games as a junior, caught nine passes for 107 yards and three touchdowns.


#14 Vanier Baptiste III

Position Defensive Tackle
Height 6-3
Weight 285
Class Redshirt Freshman
Hometown Lehigh Acres, Fla.
High School Dunbar HS











2024 (Freshman): Saw action in three games as a defensive reserve, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Was not credited with any official stats … Made his collegiate debut against Chattanooga (Nov. 2), while also seeing action against VMI (Nov. 16) and at Samford (Nov. 23).

Prior to Western Carolina: Named second-team All-State and to the News-Press All-Area team as a senior … Listed on the 2023 News-Press and Naples Daily News Big 15 recruit list … Recorded 99 total tackles including 28 tackles for loss as a junior … Began his prep career at St. Augustine High … Also plays basketball as a prep.

 

15 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - Boyd & Rowell

It's now 15 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #15, one on offense and one on defense: 

#15 Jai Boyd

Position Wide Receiver
Height 6-2
Weight 175
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Winnsboro, S.C.
High School Fairfield Central HS










2024 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in nine of the team’s 12 games with one start … Finished with 19 receptions for 307 total yards … Twice had a career-long reception of 56 yards … Recorded at least two receptions in eight of the nine games he played … Made his first collegiate reception as part of two catches against Wofford (Oct. 5) for a combined 16 yards, duplicating that effort a week later against The Citadel (Oct. 12) … Caught a career-high three passes for a career-best 102 receiving yards in the road win at Furman (Oct. 19) … Closed the year with consecutive three-catch games against VMI (Nov. 16) for 77 yards and at Samford (Nov. 23) … Caught three passes for a scrimmage-best 107 receiving yards in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

2023 (Freshman): Played in two games, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Did not record an official statistics … Made his collegiate debut in the season opener at Arkansas (Sept. 2) while also playing in the home win over Charleston Southern (Sept. 23).

Prior to Western Carolina: Two-way player as a prep playing wide receiver and free safety … Caught 48 passes for 1,076 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior, adding a punt return for a score.


#15 Gavin Rowell

Position Defensive End
Height 6-3
Weight 255
Class Redshirt Junior
Hometown Melbourne, Fla.
High School Melbourne HS











Prior to Western Carolina: Played in 18 games over three seasons with the Pioneers, collecting 55 total tackles, including 28 solo stops and 9.5 tackles for loss with five sacks … Best season came in 2023 when he recorded 47 tackles, 8.5 for loss in 11 games played … Lettered in track & field at TU, competing in the shot put, discus, and javelin;

High School: Three-time Defensive Lineman of the Year (2019, 2020, 2021) … As a senior in 2021, credited with 146 tackles with 34 tackles for loss and 15 sacks as part of a district and region championship … Named 2021 All-State … Coached by David Kintigh … Lettered in football and track & field as a prep.

16 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - Tyre & Pierre-Louis

It's now 16 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #16, one on offense and one on defense: 

#16 James Tyre

Position Wide Receiver
Height 5-10
Weight 175
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Suwanee, Ga.
High School Lambert HS











2024 (Redshirt Freshman): Appeared in two games on special teams and as an offensive reserve … Made his collegiate debut in the road win at Furman (Oct. 19) … Recorded a three-yard rush in the home win over VMI (Nov. 16) … Caught one pass in WCU’s annual Spring Game ... Named to the 2024-25 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.


2023 (Freshman): Did not see game action ... Named to the 2023-24 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

#16 Jhamari Pierre-Louis

Position Safety
Height 5-11
Weight 195
Class Redshirt Junior
Hometown Delray Beach, Fla.
High School Atlantic HS













2024 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in 11 of the team’s 11 games, each coming on special teams and as a defensive reserve … Credited with 22 tackles on the year, including 13 solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss … Tallied a pair of pass breakups … Collected his first collegiate tackle as part of four solo stops against Campbell (Sept. 7) … Had a tackle and two pass breakups against Wofford (Oct. 5) … Recorded a career-high six tackles with four solo stops against The Citadel (Oct. 12) and had five tackles in the road win at Furman (Oct. 19), including a career-best 1.5 tackles for loss … Posted four tackles at Mercer (Oct. 26) … Credited with a team-best seven tackles in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Did not see game action.

2022 (Freshman): Saw action in one game, making his collegiate debut in the home win over Presbyterian (Sept. 17) … Did not record any official statistics.

Prior to Western Carolina: Credited with 34 tackles including 16 solo stops and two TFLs as a senior according to MaxPreps.

Personal: Full name is Jhamari P. Pierrie-Louis, prefers to go by Jay ... Is the son of Tywanza Solomon and Paul Pierre-Louis ... Has three siblings, Zhamari, Isaiah, and Tyler ... Is of Haitian descent.

 

17 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - Judy & Anderson

It's now 17 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #17, one on offense and one on defense: 

#17 Bennett Judy

Position Quarterback
Height 6-3
Weight 200
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Simpsonville, S.C.
High School Hillcrest HS









2024 (Redshirt Freshman): Saw action in one game on the season, playing in the home win against VMI (Nov. 16) … Threw a pair of pass attempts against the Keydets in his lone action … Finished 9-of-16 for 75 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown pass to TE David Hulbert in WCU’s annual Spring Game … Guided a 45-yard scoring drive in the intrasquad scrimmage ... Named to the 2024-25 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2023 (Freshman): Played in one game on the season, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Made his collegiate debut in the home rivalry win over ETSU (Nov. 11) … Completed 6-of-8 passes for 71 yards … In WCU’s annual Spring Game, completed 18-of-27 passes including eight-straight at one point for
a team-best 285 yards with three touchdown passes and two interceptions ... Named to the 2023-24 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Pro-style quarterback, two-time team captain … Threw for 6,386 yards and 87 touchdowns as a prep … Selected to the North/South All-Star game, earning both team captain and offensive MVP honors (10-of-14, 140 yds) in leading the North squad to a 22-14 win … Was a two-time South Carolina Football Coaches Association (SCFCA) All-State quarterback in AAAAA … Named the Region I-AAAAA Player of the Year honors as a senior and as a junior in 2021, was dubbed the Region 1-AAAAA Offensive Player of the Year … Set a Hillcrest school record for passing yards in a game with 425 back in 2021 … High school coach is Anthony Frate … Hillcrest wide receivers coach Jada Sullivan is a WCU alum.

Personal: Is the son of Suzanne and Leigh Judy.


#17  Armond Anderson

Position Linebacker
Height 6-2
Weight 220
Class Senior
Hometown Lithonia, Ga.
High School South Gwinnett HS











2024 (Junior): Played in seven of the team’s 12 games, each coming as a defensive reserve and on special teams … Credited with four tackles, including a pair of solo stops … Made his WCU debut in the road game at nationally-ranked Montana (Sept. 21) … Recorded his first and season-high three tackles in the road win at Furman (Oct. 19) … Also had a tackle at nationally-ranked Mercer (Oct. 26).

Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU after two seasons at St. Thomas University, a NAIA program in Miami, Fla. … Played in 19 games between 2022 and 2023, credited with 85 total tackles including 51 solo stops and 5.5 tackles for loss … Forced and recovered a fumble while recording a interception as part of five defended passes … Recorded 76 tackles as a sophomore in 2023 … Recorded a career-high 11 tackles against Ave Maria on Oct. 21, 2023, also tallying an interception; At South Gwinnett HS: Was a two-way player in high school as a wide receiver and defensive back … Caught nine passes for 263 yards as a senior with four touchdowns … Credited with 22 total tackles with three interceptions for 57 return yards.

18 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - Martin-Durham & McKinnis

It's now 18 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

To help pass those long summer days and get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season and more knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the football countdown each day until kickoff day. 

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #18, one on offense and one on defense: 

#18 Jordan Martin-Durham

Position Quarterback
Height 6-3
Weight 215
Class Freshman
Hometown Jacksonville, Fla.
High School Zarephath Academy










2024 (Freshman): Was an early-enrollee at WCU in the spring semester ... Took part in WCU's annual spring drills ... Threw a 30-yard touchdown pass and rushed 10 times for 48 yards in the squad's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Listed as a pro-style quarterback … Credited with playing five years of varsity football including six games as an eighth-grader in 2020-21 … Played in 48 career games as a prep, amassing 14,485 total yards according to MaxPreps … Complete 67% of his passes – 667-for-993 – for 13,329 career yards and 120 touchdowns … Threw for 6,047 yards as a senior with 62 TD passes … Added 102 rushes for 1,067 career yards and 12 TDs on the ground … Caught seven passes for 89 yards in his prep career.

Personal: Is a left-handed quarterback.


#18 Ryan McKinnis

Position Linebacker
Height 6-2
Weight 225
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Buford, Ga.
High School Buford HS
College  Appalachian State










Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU during the spring after spending the past two years at Appalachian State … Saw action in six games over two seasons as a defensive reserve and on special teams, sitting out 2023 as a redshirt; 

High School: As a senior, totaled 87 tackles, seven tackles for loss, six sacks, eight quarterback hurries and four forced fumbles for a team that went 11-1 … All-Gwinnett County selection … Played as a two-way threat for coach Bryant Appling and helped Buford win state titles during a 14-1 season in 2021 and 13-1 season the year before that … Was a standout sprinter in track and field … Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports.